Disclaimer: Nope, last time I looked in a mirror I wasn't James Cameron or anyone else lucky enough to own Dark Angel.

Summary: Sequel to "Then it comes to be." The cult loonies are gone but the transgenics have other problems to deal with, not to mention a whole civilization to build. M/A

Rating: R because of occasional violence and sex (to come later).

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MEANWHILE IN WASHINGTON, DC…

Dr. George from the CDC sat impatiently on the bench in the dark, deserted park. He glanced around nervously, hoping to catch a glimpse of his contact. Finally the man in the grey suit sat down next to him. "I take it you're still concerned about the female transgenic who escaped from the hospital in Seattle," the man said quietly without looking over at the doctor.

"Yes," Dr. George replied. "She's a carrier for a very nasty biotoxin. She must be contained. But there's a bigger issue at stake here too."

"Go on."

"Those transgenics have been living in a biohazard zone for how long now? Months? They aren't dying from it, which means they must be immune. If I could have access to a few subjects, I might be able to isolate a compound from their blood. Create a vaccine."

"That could prove…invaluable. We'll be in touch." The man in the grey suit stood and walked away without a backward glance.

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ELSEWHERE…

Donald Lydecker sat at the end of a very long conference table. Grouped around the far end were several men in sombre black suits. Men of power. The chairman of this committee glanced up from his notes and looked at Lydecker over the top of his reading glasses.

"You understand why you have been summoned here? We must have control of the situation. And we must have access to the transgenics. Otherwise we have no choice but to contain the threat. Your name has been put forth as a candidate for obvious reasons. For equally obvious reasons I am reluctant to agree to your posting. You allowed twelve of them to escape in 09."

"Twelve out of several hundred," Lydecker pointed out calmly.

"You allowed the facility to be compromised and destroyed."

"I was out in the cold at the time, and you know it. I was forced out by the same person who allowed the facility to be compromised. And in all likelihood Madame X was working for the same group that attacked Seattle."

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. In any case, it's a worrisome trend. Further failure will not be tolerated." The chairman scrutinized Lydecker, his lips pursed in thought. Lydecker stared back calmly. He'd dealt with these men before, and knew the rules. Finally the chairman asked "if we did grant you command again, how would you resolve the situation?"

Lydecker shifted forward in his seat and pinned each one of the committee members with his gaze. "Only one escape was ever permitted because we maintained firm control over them. We had the facility and we had the manpower to impose order. The situation is entirely different now. Every one of my kids has experienced life on the outside for themselves. Pandora's box has been opened. They will resist capture."

"Are you suggesting containment, then?"

"Not at all. There are two ways to get what you want. The stick, and the carrot."

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A/N: I know, I know. It's short. But I need to set things up for the rest of the story.